Dallas' Margaret Hunt Hill bridge arch starts going up! (Houston: how much, cost of)

[portyhead24]

Originally Posted by Dallascaper

I don't see the problem with Dallas striving to be a world class city - its a long road and they have to start somewhere. Certainly you don't think world class cities are built overnight.

Exactly! Cities like Paris, New York City, Rome etc are filled with beautiful art, architecture and countless "vanity" projects. You don't get to be world class by being dull and practical. If the world were only about function and not form, we'd all be driving small boxy economical grey cars, living in tiny unified concrete buildings, all dressed in black, no jewelry, no nice shoes, basic speakers in our cars, watching boring tv on our tiny yet affordable tvs. Get over it you jealous Houstonites . The project is being built (whether you think it's a "bridge to nowhere" or not) so instead of being a negative nancy, why not be happy that we live in a state that has many cities that are growing and striving for greatness. Cities that are ready to be ushered onto the world stage, including Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Fort Worth. Besides, this will only push the leaders of Houston to push the envelope and come back with a project even greater. It's good healthy rivalry. Just lettin y'all who are being so bitter know that envy doesn't make you look very good.

Anyway, the arch looks awesome already. I can see it for miles off the highway and I just can't wait to see the finished project.

[ladarron]

Originally Posted by Scarface713

This bridge doesn't even connect anyroads to each other. It truly is a bridge to nowhere. Those for the bridges have said it'll only cost 150 million. Opponents believe all of this new bridge/levee construction will cost up to 2 billion, and the opponents seem to be right, so far. In Dallas' desperation to eat with the big boys, they gather in hundreds of millions of dollars to connect a bridge with nothing. Not to mention things like mortgaging the retirements of their firemen and police officers over an overpriced condo tower Downtown. Smart. But hey, at least it looks nice.

It connects Singleton Blvd to Woodall Rogers Freeway.

[stoneclaw]

Originally Posted by portyhead24

Exactly! Cities like Paris, New York City, Rome etc are filled with beautiful art, architecture and countless "vanity" projects. You don't get to be world class by being dull and practical. If the world were only about function and not form, we'd all be driving small boxy economical grey cars, living in tiny unified concrete buildings, all dressed in black, no jewelry, no nice shoes, basic speakers in our cars, watching boring tv on our tiny yet affordable tvs. Get over it you jealous Houstonites . The project is being built (whether you think it's a "bridge to nowhere" or not) so instead of being a negative nancy, why not be happy that we live in a state that has many cities that are growing and striving for greatness. Cities that are ready to be ushered onto the world stage, including Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Fort Worth. Besides, this will only push the leaders of Houston to push the envelope and come back with a project even greater. It's good healthy rivalry. Just lettin y'all who are being so bitter know that envy doesn't make you look very good.

Anyway, the arch looks awesome already. I can see it for miles off the highway and I just can't wait to see the finished project.

That's exactly what these superficial neighborhoods in Dallas feel like. All glitz and glamour but no personality. Nice try portyhead!

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by portyhead24

Exactly! Cities like Paris, New York City, Rome etc are filled with beautiful art, architecture and countless "vanity" projects. You don't get to be world class by being dull and practical. If the world were only about function and not form, we'd all be driving small boxy economical grey cars, living in tiny unified concrete buildings, all dressed in black, no jewelry, no nice shoes, basic speakers in our cars, watching boring tv on our tiny yet affordable tvs. Get over it you jealous Houstonites . The project is being built (whether you think it's a "bridge to nowhere" or not) so instead of being a negative nancy, why not be happy that we live in a state that has many cities that are growing and striving for greatness. Cities that are ready to be ushered onto the world stage, including Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Fort Worth. Besides, this will only push the leaders of Houston to push the envelope and come back with a project even greater. It's good healthy rivalry. Just lettin y'all who are being so bitter know that envy doesn't make you look very good.

Anyway, the arch looks awesome already. I can see it for miles off the highway and I just can't wait to see the finished project.

Houston already has a plan, called the Buffalo Bayou Master Plan. The stuff Dallas is doing though, with the Museum Tower, overpriced bridge, expanding the light rail too fast, isn't making much financial sense. It seems all you guys are worried about is being considered world class and glitz/glamor.

[ladarron]

Originally Posted by Scarface713

Houston already has a plan, called the Buffalo Bayou Master Plan. The stuff Dallas is doing though, with the Museum Tower, overpriced bridge, expanding the light rail too fast, isn't making much financial sense. It seems all you guys are worried about is being considered world class and glitz/glamor.

All of that has nothing to do with the City of Dallas except the bridge.

[Lakewooder]

Scarface do you think Reunion Tower was a waste of money?


YouTube - Dallas Season 11 Opening 1988-1989

[ladarron]

Why are people making a big deal over this? The new bridge will replace the old Continental Viaduct.

[buzzpost]

Originally Posted by dv1033

I understand but $117 million bridge is a hefty price tag for a bridge that spans a medium sized river and flood plain. You would think, by the looks of the bridge, it was spanning some great river or body of water. It seems this is more of statement bridge than a functional bridge.

This is true, but Dallas has a big problem with fiscal irresponsibility. Don't get me wrong, the bridge arch is beautiful, but geez - in these economic times, and with the city of Dallas having huge budget problems they could have spent the money better ELSEWHERE.

[ladarron]

Originally Posted by buzzpost

This is true, but Dallas has a big problem with fiscal irresponsibility. Don't get me wrong, the bridge arch is beautiful, but geez - in these economic times, and with the city of Dallas having huge budget problems they could have spent the money better ELSEWHERE.

This bridge was planned way before the economic downturn.

[Lakewooder]

$17 million of the cost of the bridge was donated privately - hence the moniker.